Approval rates
Judge Hoppenfeld maintains a lifetime approval rate of 74%, which provides a benchmark when compared to the Queens Hearing Office latest rate of 78% and the national average of 58%. These figures are derived from 567 lifetime decisions rendered during her tenure. While these statistics offer insight into historical trends, they are not a guarantee of your future outcome.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Hoppenfeld's docket. Annual rates fluctuate with the mix of cases SSA assigns; the longer-run pattern is more informative than any single year.
Decision pattern
Over her 1 year on the bench, Judge Hoppenfeld has maintained a consistent approach to disability adjudication. Her record of 567 lifetime decisions reflects a stable pattern of review that aligns with the broader expectations of the Social Security Administration. Her approval frequency has remained steady throughout her active period, suggesting a predictable judicial style that relies on the specific medical evidence you present in your file.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Hoppenfeld's bench. Judge-specific preparation guidance requires a corpus of public Appeals Council decisions involving each judge, which we haven't built yet.
- Bring a clean treating-physician record. Longitudinal primary-care or specialist notes spanning the disability period, with consistent symptom documentation, are typically the strongest evidence at hearing. A single month's records usually aren't enough.
- Don't rely on consultative exams alone. If your medical evidence is built primarily around a one-time CE finding, expect detailed questioning. Supplement with treating-source statements where possible.
- Prepare for daily-activity questions. Have honest, specific answers about a typical day. Answers that conflict with the medical record (in either direction) tend to hurt credibility.
- Expect transferable-skills probing. A vocational expert will usually testify about jobs available to someone with your limitations. Your representative should be prepared to cross-examine.
Hearing with Judge Hoppenfeld? Free, confidential — see if you qualify for SSDI.
Check My BenefitsAbout the Queens hearing office
The Queens Hearing Office serves a large population in New York, managing a high volume of disability claims with a bench of 6 judges. The office currently reports an approval rate of 78%, reflecting the complex nature of cases processed in this region. You should be prepared for a thorough review of your medical documentation and work history. You can see the Queens Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. Across the Queens Hearing Office, lifetime approval rates among the bench range from 64% to 84%. Because each judge may weigh evidence differently, understanding the broader office environment is useful for your preparation.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.